Cruising with Kaitlyn

May 11, 2015 | Lifestyle, Portrait

Kaitlyn is a vibrant, fun, and very grounded girl. She is trained as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician), but also does a lot of promotional work. So one fine Friday morning we got together for a portrait session involving multiple outfits, locations and a longboard.

Longboarding was conceptualized in the early 60’s as a way to replicate the experience of surfing on a paved surface. It’s a lot of fun! You can cruise around, race down the hill, try out some stunts.

Kaitlyn got her longboard a few years ago, but she is just starting to use it seriously this spring, and so far loves that Calgary offers many great places to explore on her board.

SHAW MILLENNIUM PARK

Our first destination, naturally, was SMP, North America’s largest free outdoor skatepark.

Kaitlyn, what other sports/recreation activities are you into?

Dance, snowboarding, surfing, swimming, hiking, yoga (used to ride English horseback, and show jumping).

What are you passionate about and what draws you to it?

A lot of things: traveling and art are some of my favourite hobbies/interests. I love to explore new places and see different parts of the world. I also like to see how my region looks to someone else from another place. I am branching out in my interest and love for art, and recently started costume design.

PICTURESQUE CRESCENT HEIGHTS

For our second location, we headed to a beautiful community of Crescent Heights and cruised down the path with an awesome view of Calgary’s downtown.

Who or what currently inspires you and how?

I am inspired by my Nana. She has had to overcome a lot in her lifetime being 1st generation Canadian from Eastern Europe, who had to leave everything behind and start fresh with her family. She has been through a bout with cancer and other difficult life circumstances. Now her husband is declining quickly. She is a strong woman and I love her very much. She inspires me on a daily basis.

Also, an international cosplayer Jessica Nigri. She designs most of her own costumes and is a very well rounded person who I was able to meet a few times. She is very popular in the comic convention world as well as the video gaming world. She is positive, friendly and willing to talk with any of her fans.

What is your biggest achievement?

Completing my EMT training.

HISTORIC EAU CLAIRE

We then descended to our third location, the paths of Prince Island Park, where Kaitlyn swapped her shorts for skirts and dresses.

What are you currently reading?

Fantasy Series called “The Inheritance” by Christopher Paolini.

Do you have any quotes to share?

“Books are my friends, my companions. They make me laugh and cry and find meaning in life.”
-Brom in Eragon by Christopher Paolini

Do you have a mantra or a phrase that you live by?

I don’t want to look back on my life and wonder where years have gone. I had that happen one year and it felt devastating. So now I try to make a lot of memories and meet new people as much as possible.